How many times have we ruined an afternoon or even an entire day by allowing what we don’t have or what we’ve lost and can’t get back eat away at our thoughts? We see a person driving a new sports car, and we think, “Wow…I WISH I could afford that!”, and then that thought turns to, “If only I had taken that opportunity that was offered me…if only I hadn’t spent my money on this…if only….” and we continue down the spiral until we’re in a bad mood, all because we saw someone driving a new sports car. Or what about if we see a young happy couple, holding hands, laughing, having a good time, and we think, “I wish I had that kind of a relationship! If only I hadn’t been selfish and passed up that opportunity. If only God would let me date someone!…” etc., etc., and soon we’re having a bad day because we let our thoughts and desires run their course.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with driving a new sports car. There’s nothing wrong with having a good relationship. There’s nothing wrong with having a good job. There’s nothing wrong with a lot of things in life. The problem comes when we are not satisfied with the life God has given us, and want and desire to have what we don’t already have, and what God has not planned for us at this moment and time.
James 4:1-4 tells us, “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.”
Not only is selfishness the cause of a LOT (if not the majority) of problems in our living with others, it also causes a LOT of problems within our own hearts and minds. We destroy our days, and often our lives by focusing our desires on the things we are envious of and the things God has not so far chosen to give us.
I know many times when I talk about being selfish and envious of others, people tell me, “Well, there’s nothing wrong with wanting a wife. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a new car…” etc., However, if that’s not God’s plan for our life – then YES, there IS something wrong with wanting and chasing after those things. We think we know better than God!
In Philippians 4:11, Paul wrote, “…for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” When he wrote that, he was in prison! Yet, he knew that he was EXACTLY where GOD wanted Him to be. And that’s what we need to learn – to follow God so closely that we are EXACTLY where HE wants us to be, and only then can we find TRUE contentment.
So, be careful what you wish for! Wishing for and chasing after the wrong things will often times keep our minds away from where they should be, and will lead us down roads and paths that aren’t part of God’s plan for us. Just because there’s “nothing wrong” with some things, doesn’t mean that they are part of what God wants in each of our lives.
Following Christ should be our NUMBER ONE “wish” and “desire”. When we seek to put HIM FIRST in EVERYTHING, He will lead us and show us the right choices to make and point us in the right direction for OUR lives.
Remember, as Children of God, what is “right” and “God’s plan” for our life many times will NOT be what everyone in the world seeks after or chases after. But, God’s plan is ALWAYS perfect!